3" Molly Fit A 60L Biorb

[busterbrit]

My brother gave me his 3" Molly since he wants to get cichlids.

I'm thinking it might be to big for my 16 gallon biorb. Thoughts?

Also I think my tank is slightly over stocked. I'm having nitrite problems. Would getting rid of the molly help?

Background:
2 months of fishless cycle (adding the ammonia to get to 4ppm)
Added the fish almost 3 weeks ago.
Ammonia is always fine but Nitrites keeps going up to 1.

1 dwarf gourami (2")
2 dwarf platys (1" X 2)
3 guppies (1.5" X 3)
1 silver molly (3")
2 anubias plants (not doing so well)
1 bogwood (some moss attached from the store)


*I wanted to add 5 cherry shimp and a moss ball but obviously I can't until I fix this problem.

 

[erk628]

What is the make and size of the filter that your using.

 

[waterdrop]

My guess is its the biorb filter and that's part of the problem, can't handle the load. WD

 

[Assaye]

IMO, mollys are too big for 60 litre tanks, especially round ones.

The rest of the fish look OK.

If the plants are dying, they'll probably be contributing to the problem.

 

[busterbrit]

yes it is the biorb filter. I modified it a little. Took out the carbon and put the balls that collect bacteria. I was hoping that would help increase the filter effectiveness.

The plants seem to have slowed down their yellowing/dying so hopefully that will help.

It sounds like I need to get rid of the Molly. My brother is not going to be happy. He wanted to turn his tank into a cichlid tank and his wife will only let him get rid of the fish if they go to people the know.

Thanks for the thoughts.